Crum Hum vs HUM 2

Two three-voice instruments from Sweden's Nyström Instruments, both built around touch and generative melody, and both a little different from anything else on your desk. The short answer: Crum Hum is the pure, immediate one: set it going and shape it with your fingertips. HUM 2 is the deeper one, with lockable sequencers, a separate engine per voice, six sensors and full studio connectivity. Here is the longer answer.

The core difference

Crum Hum is a generative instrument first. Three touch-responsive voices run through one of twelve sound engines, and a Random control per voice decides how freely each line wanders. There are few menus and little to set up. You turn it on, pick a scale and play the triangular metal pads. It is built for ambient soundscapes and happy accidents.

HUM 2 takes the same idea much further. Each voice gets its own engine from a choice of 14, its own 64-step sequencer that can generate new phrases or lock a pattern into a loop, and its own Decay, Rand, Tone, Cut and Freq controls. On top of that come six sensors (distance, light, tilt X and Y, two touch pads), four assignable LFOs, 500 presets and a full set of CV, sync, MIDI and USB audio connections. It works as a standalone instrument, but it is also made to sit in a larger setup.

Nyström Crum Hum generative synthesizer with triangular touch pads
Crum Hum
Hands-on generative soundscapes
Nyström HUM 2 sensory synthesizer seen from above
HUM 2
Sensory synth with sequencers and full I/O

Side by side

Crum Hum HUM 2
Voices 3, touch controlled 3, touch controlled, multitimbral
Sound engines 12 14, selectable per voice
Sequencing Generative and randomized melody and chord generation Three 64-step sequencers, generative or locked loops, chords per voice
Scales 12, including harmonic series, microtonal and unquantized 17, including microtonal, overtone series, just intonation and free
Touch control One triangular metal pad per voice Three pads per voice: volume in the middle, pitch bend on the sides
Sensors None Distance, light, tilt X and Y, two extra touch pads, mappable to any knob
Modulation 1 LFO 4 assignable LFOs
Effects Delay, reverb, overdrive Delay, reverb, overdrive, with per-voice sends
Presets No 500
CV and sync 1 x CV out, clock in 3 x CV out, 2 x CV in, sync in and out
MIDI and USB MIDI in and out, USB MIDI MIDI in and out (TRS), USB MIDI and USB audio
Availability In stock, ships next working day Pre-order, expected to ship in November 2026
Price 387 EUR 675 EUR

Get the Crum Hum if

  • You want an instrument you can switch on and play within seconds, without menus or presets
  • Ambient, generative and evolving textures are what you are after
  • You like the idea of guiding the music rather than programming it
  • You want it now, or you want the more affordable way into Nyström's world

Get the HUM 2 if

  • You want to lock a generated phrase you like and build on it, per voice
  • You want a different sound engine on each of the three voices
  • Playing with movement, light and tilt sounds like your kind of fun
  • You need proper studio connectivity: line outs, several CV outs, sync and USB audio
  • You want to save and recall sounds

Can you use both?

Yes, and they pair well. HUM 2's sync output can clock the Crum Hum's clock input, so the two stay in time while each generates its own lines. Put Crum Hum on drifting pads underneath and let HUM 2 play the melodies on top.

Still not sure? Email hey@unzunz.com and tell us what you want to make, and we will tell you which one fits. Both ship from Sweden.

Crum Hum | HUM 2 | All Nyström Instruments